[il-uh-noi-uh
n or, sometimes, -noi-zuhn] 
| 1. | a native or inhabitant of Illinois. |
| 2. | of or pertaining to Illinois or its inhabitants. |
| Il·li·nois 2 (ĭl'ə-noi') A state of the north-central United States. It was admitted as the 21st state in 1818. The area was explored by the French in the late 1600s, ceded by France to the British in 1763, and ceded by them to the newly formed United States in 1783. Springfield is the capital and Chicago the largest city. Population: 12,900,000. Il'li·nois'an (-noi'ən) adj. |